Does non-stop fighting amongst African cichlids often end in death.

[PatrickTheArowana]

I had just put two really nice large Yellow labs in my 125gal,and two of my old smaller yellow labs kept pounding on them non-stop.My new labs didn't even put up an arguement.I then changed the scenery a bit,then the two that I just bought started fighting back.One of them eventyually gave up soon after.But the other one kept going with the two for a little longer.He too then withdrew and started getting pounded on again.So I was able to catch the weakest one of the new labs pretty easily,probrably cause he was just so badly stressed and beaten.I put him in a small tank by himself.

Then out of nowere the two old labs that I already previously owned started fighting.And completely left the new lab alone.All of the labs appear to be males,except for maybe one,this one has a faded color to it.Is that a way of sexing them?? I'm not sure?

What's going on here?? And what can I do to bring the beaten new lab back into the 125gal.I was told by some people to wait till I add at least three more new fish,then add the lab I took out back into the 125gal.

 

[JamesRiggs]

Sounds like you may have to high of a male ratio, try to get some females in. Labs are going to be more conspecies agressive so try to add more to thin out the aggression some.

what you are seeing is the fish trying to establish a pecking order, you will wind up with one alpha male.

 

[Frostyone]

If they are all male but one I'd be headed to the LFS and get some females. How about a tank shot so we can get an idea of the rockwork (hiding places).

 

[JamesRiggs]

his post with tank shots

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164096

 

[Frostyone]

And I've found it's often MUCH harder to add larger fish to an already established tank. I can't add any fish over 3" without my other africans killing it.

 

[PatrickTheArowana]

his post with tank shots

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164096

Yeah that's what was confusing the hell out of me too.I have tons of rock work and space,and these fish still can't get along

 

[Frostyone]

his post with tank shots

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164096

Thanks! No shortage of hiding spots there.

 

[PatrickTheArowana]

And I've found it's often MUCH harder to add larger fish to an already established tank. I can't add any fish over 3" without my other africans killing it.

That too! I was thinking that these larger labs would be able to handle themselves for sure.But I was really wrong!

 

[JamesRiggs]

Try adding the labs back at night when the lights are off, that helps sometimes.

 

[Frostyone]

Maybe even leave the lights off for a few days if it seems to settle them a little bit.

I added a 6" Venutus once and they killed it in one night, there were a few others I've tried over time. I had to take back a 7" front once recently because it got so bad, so it probably wasn't a great idea to add larger fish but you may still be able to work them into the tank. You could also add an eggcrate divider for a little while if it comes to that.